criminal love; jungwon

14

Snow blanketed the streets, muffling the usual noise of the town. The crisp air carried the scent of winter—fresh, cold, and somehow comforting. Nanhee tugged her scarf higher over her face as she walked beside Jungwon, their footsteps crunching softly beneath them.

“It’s freezing,” she muttered, blowing on her hands.

Jungwon smirked, pulling out a small heat pack from his pocket and handing it to her. “Always unprepared, aren’t you?”

She rolled her eyes but accepted it, the warmth seeping into her frozen fingers. “Thanks, mom.”

They walked in silence for a while, the streetlights casting a soft glow around them. Shops were decorated with twinkling lights, their windows filled with festive displays. It was quiet, peaceful in a way that felt rare.

“This doesn’t feel real,” Nanhee said softly, breaking the silence.

“What do you mean?” Jungwon asked, glancing at her.

“All of this,” she gestured around them. “It feels like we’re in some kind of winter wonderland.”

Jungwon chuckled. “It’s just snow, Nanhee.”

She bumped his shoulder playfully. “You’re ruining the moment.”

They ended up at a small café, tucked away on a quiet street. It was warm inside, the air filled with the scent of coffee and cinnamon. Jungwon ordered two hot chocolates, and they found a seat by the window, watching the snow continue to fall outside.

Nanhee wrapped her hands around the mug, savoring the heat. “This is nice.”

Jungwon nodded, sipping his drink. “Yeah. It is.”

The silence between them was comfortable, but charged. There was something in the air, something neither of them wanted to name.

Nanhee glanced at Jungwon, watching the way the soft light highlighted his features. He looked relaxed, more at ease than she’d seen him in weeks. She wondered if he felt it too—the way everything between them seemed to have shifted.

“This feels different,” she said quietly, almost to herself.

Jungwon looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “Different how?”

“Like... I don’t know. Like it’s not just us hanging out.”

Jungwon’s gaze softened, but he didn’t look away. “Yeah. I get that.”

Her heart did a little flip, and she quickly looked down at her mug, hoping he hadn’t noticed the sudden flush on her cheeks.

They walked home slowly, neither of them wanting the night to end. The snow had stopped, leaving the world glittering under the moonlight.

When they reached Nanhee’s house, she turned to face Jungwon, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Thanks for tonight.”

Jungwon shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “Anytime.”

For a moment, they just stood there, the air between them filled with something unspoken.

It felt like a date.

But neither of them admitted it.

Instead, Nanhee gave a small wave and disappeared inside, leaving Jungwon standing alone in the snow, his heart racing in a way he didn’t quite understand.